There are so many projects like this right now, and so many that are doing well, that it was surely just a matter of time before EA decided it wanted a bite of the cherry. Many were, and still are, hoping for the Mass Effect trilogy to get the remaster treatment, but the suggestions don’t end there. Dead Space, Dragon Age, Need for Speed, Battlefield - EA isn’t exactly short of popular series it could dip into for a cheeky remaster. However, the publisher has picked what initially seems like an odd choice for its first foray into nostalgic re-releases, but Burnout Paradise is, in fact, a total no-brainer.

The game released a decade ago on PS3, and it broke a lot of new ground; open world racing games are far more commonplace nowadays, and it’s all down to Criterion’s huge departure from Burnout’s established structure. By applying the series’ trademark sense of speed and lust for destruction in a large sandbox city, Paradise wasn’t just a racing game - it was a gorgeous, loud, adrenaline-fuelled playground. My personal favourite Burnout is the peerless Takedown, but there’s no denying the sense of freedom and pure fun at the heart of Paradise.

However, aside from being a fantastic arcade racer packed with single player content, Paradise was immensely ambitious when it came to its online features. If you were connected, every aspect of the game became a competition; speed records, drifts, or time spent in oncoming traffic were all thrown into leaderboards, and you were always challenged to outdo the person above you. The real brainwave, though, was how you played with friends. All you had to do was hit right on the d-pad and you were into Easy Drive, a simple, concise system that let you seamlessly add friends into your game. From there, you could set up races, special events, or simply tear around the city, taking each other down.

The elegance of the game’s online implementation was really something in 2008, and it’s this that makes Burnout Paradise so well suited as EA’s first remaster. The PlayStation 4 has much better social features than its predecessor, which will really allow Paradise’s forward-thinking Easy Drive system to flourish. The share button will finally let you record your glorious photo finishes, spectacular crashes, or impressive takedowns, which perfectly fits the spirit of a game that already waves your rival’s picture in your face when they smash you off the road. Basically, if you enjoyed the game’s online aspects ten years ago, imagine how well it’ll work now, the PS4 facilitating multiplayer functionality that will no doubt have stood the test of time.

Do you have fond memories of Burnout Paradise's online multiplayer? Were you surprised EA chose this for its first remaster over other popular franchises? Drift into the comments and let us know.

Having grown up alongside PlayStation, Stephen has developed a wide knowledge of video games, from AAA blockbusters to the smallest indie gems. With relentless enthusiasm, eclectic taste, and a passion for writing, he’s always on the lookout for the next big thing. He also has the Platinum for The Witness, so there’s that.

NEVER played this in MP. I had a LOT of fun just playing this on my PS3 and never saw the need to play online.

As an Xbox owner, I do have the Forza Horizon series which are absolutely superb for that arcade open world racing fun but that does lack the take-downs that Burnout offers and the Playstation seems very lacking in this area altogether so it really makes sense to bring this back.

Of course we all want ME trilogy or Dead Space (maybe not the third) remasters although these are not so under represented. We have RPG's and Horror Survival games - even if they are not as good as these but we don't have open world arcade racers like Burnout Paradise!

Absolutely love the game and it has wonderful online multiplayer features. I played it on the 360 which had a far, far, far superior online infrastructure to the PS3, so this new version will certainly shine on the PS4. Unfortunately the remaster is just so overpriced. C'mon EA.

Would love Mass Effect Trilogy & the first two Dragon Age games to get remastered for PS4 - unlikely to happen I know, but if Burnout Paradise remaster proves to be a decent seller anything is possible

If it was any other Burnout I'd agree. I'd love to see the Arcade racing game make a comeback without all the open-world stuff (which is done far better by Forza Horizon IMHO). Hopefully it sells and opens the door for a Legends port.

EA should remake the Harry Potter games. I loved playing Chamber of Secrets in PS1, or Prisoner of Azkaban in PS2. Wish they had made the entire franchise with similar gameplay to the first 3 games... =)

as far as im concerned revenge and takedown will always be the better burnouts (why for some EA cant just do a burnout collection i dont know), but considering i didnt really give paradise a chance on its original release, and if it makes enough money hopefully it will entice EA to remaster more propertys (lets face it the mass effect trilogy is long overdue) i reckon it,ll do nicely when the inevitable summer draught comes along

Considering EA said they wouldn't do remasters ironic that after the BF2 loot box fiasco they have turned that around. I probably will buy paradise again because I love it as a single player experience and a friend's racer too. But I hope that they release the likes of some PS2 classics and remaster them how many years has Underground 2 been requested. The next game will most likely be Mass Effect Trilogy but them I don't care much for because I've played them to death now. I really wish they would remaster the likes of Underground 2, Mercenaries: Playground of destruction, BLACK

I know we’re supposed to hate them unconditionally, but I’ve always kind of respected EA for not remastering all their games for a quick buck. I’m glad this is the one they’ve decided to do, though. I’ve never played it and there really aren’t any decent arcade racers on ps4.

Ive never understood the hate for Burnout Paradise. As a big fan on Burnout every game improved, Vanilla burnout was good but throwaway, a bit of a budget release tbh. By Burnout 3 the Burnout we all wanted was at the table with pretty amazing mechanics all round. Burnout paradise is exactly the same but set within an openworld. The only negatives are the bizarre version of crash mode and when you realise your miles from where you need to be.

I think what people really want is not to play older game, but the memory of first time playing it. That's why sotc, crash, and wipeout remake sold well.

I don't think wipeout will be number 1 in chart if sony just release it on ps4 as ps1 classic at $10, people will download it, play it for a couple of hours and forget it, new audience will see the game ps1 graphics on youtube and says "nope".

I still remember my disappointment when ape escape 2 is released as ps2 classic, what I want is sony to remaster ape escape 1-3 and sold it at fair price.